Parkop sets independence celebrations in motion

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop officially launched the 42nd Independence Day celebrations at the Paga Hill Ring Road last Friday. Parkop said the initiative to have the celebrations at the Paga Hill Ring Road was a concept that was coined last year and they have decided to hold it again this year. He said the programme would include activities at Jack Pidik Park, the street festival at the Paga Hill Ring Road and a march by schools. Parkop said part of the programme at the Paga Hill Ring Road was the street festival involving performances by various groups including the acrobatic team, steel brass band and a lot more. “I’m happy that we are launching the programme two weeks on because we’ve got to prepare for Independence Day. “It’s a great national event for our people and our nation and I acknowledge our partners Pascoe Productions, Yu Yet Limited, UPNG and PAU,” Parkop said. Parkop said that 42 years on, PNG had to start lifting its image to become a successful nation. “Our Independence slogan, “The Time is now” means that we cannot give excuses that we are a new nation. “We’ve got to recognise and acknowledge that we are almost 50 years and we must start to deliver the aspirations of our people. “For me it’s the third term and I want to make it a greater city, this is why we have adopted this theme. “The time is now, meaning that it’s time now to secure a better future to make our city a 21st century city, to lift all the infrastructure, services, public and recreational facilities, health and education intuitions,” he said. NCDC events manager Numa Alu said the celebrations programme would be in two main venues, Jack Pidik Park will be a musical concert to cater for the younger generations and the Paga Ring Road festival. He said there would be other activities by the PNG Defence Force, the PNG Fire Service and police dog unit from Bomana.